Page 132 of My Forbidden Alpha

It’s good to get to just be myself without everyone watching my every move. The image and the front that are expected of an alpha can get tiresome. Sometimes I like to just be with my best friend as we train, and he doesn’t address me as Alpha.

“You sound hurt. Now suck it up, be a man. Come on, Nicky, hit me.” I taunt.

He lunges at me, and I block him, chuckling. “You’re getting rusty.”

“So are you, old man. So tell me, when are you handing Elijah the title?” Nick asks me as we continue to exchange blows.

My smile fades, and I frown. “I don’t know. He is reasonable,smart, strong, and I know that he will make a good alpha.”

“But?”

I frown slightly as I dodge a punch. “But I feel there’s something missing. I think he needs grounding – some sense of responsibility that is missing. I do hope he finds his mate on the coming Blood Moon. I think that-”

“That a mate can complete him. I do wholeheartedly agree, but don’t punish him by keeping that title from him just because he hasn’t found his mate. We live in peaceful times, for the most part. It doesn’t really matter if he hasn’t found his mate. I think he’s responsible, maybe not when it comes to women, but otherwise, he is,” Nick reasons as I knock his legs from under him. He grunts as he rolls onto his side, and I offer him a hand up, but instead of allowing me to help him up, he yanks me down, kicking my shoulder as he pins me to the ground.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll think it over.” I grunt as I manage to kick him off and jump to my feet.

“Well, please do.”

“I might just have to make him Alpha just so your son can replace you. I mean, you’re getting weak,” I mock him, making his eyes flash as he lunges at me. I’m about to duck when I suddenly feel a pack-link snap. My face pales just as Nick’s fist connects with my jaw,

“Fuck, Jackson!” he shouts, not expecting me not to duck and I’m thrown into the ropes of the boxing ring.

“We’ve lost someone!” I say, standing up, my heart racing.

Account for every pack member immediately, Delta Adam, now. Code Blue, I repeat, we have a Code Blue situation,I say through the pack-link so all warriors and pack security members can hear me.

“A pack-link breaking during the day. I’ll check with patrol first!” Nick says, jumping out of the ring.

“Yeah, good idea,” I answer, leaving the ring too.

Beta Nick will check and account for all patrol members. Warrior Liam, check all warriors on site. I’ll check those who are not on pack territory…I trail off.

My stomach twists with unease as I think of Scarlett and Elijah. No. I’m just worrying for no reason. But I can’t help but panic.Everyone get on it!

There’s a slew of replies as everyone follows orders.Yes, Alpha!

Jessica! Call Scarlett or Elijah now.

On it,she replies quickly.

I want someone to check on all unshifted pups. For all those who can hear me, I need everyone to check in on the pack database and check if your pups are all safe too,I say, opening up the link to all my pack members. We have systems in place to account for everyone quickly, but it will still take us a few hours as not everyone is always available instantly or able to be contacted.

I quickly jog home, ringing Indigo.

“Hey, Dad.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “You’re safe. Good. I just felt a pack-link break.”

Her breath hitches. “Dad, has anyone called Scarlett or Elijah?” Her voice is suddenly shaky, and I frown, trying to calm my own turmoil.

“We’re on it,” I say gently. “Is Daniel with you?”

“Yeah, he is. I’m coming home,” she answers.

“Sure. I’ll see you soon, dear.”

I see it in both her and Jessica, and I see them revert back to the fearful shells they were when they first came to this pack. The trauma of their past is embedded deep within them, and although I know Jessica told me she was certain her mate didn’t hurt Scarlett as much, assuming it was because she looked like him, I wasn’t so sure. Trauma is dealt with differently. AndScarlett, in many ways, is closed up. Who knows what she is hiding behind those walls?

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